Top Things to do in Central Business District
10 Nature & Parks in Central Business District That You Shouldn't Miss
Sydney offers plenty of historical and contemporary Australian flavor. The marvelous Sydney Opera House looks like a great origami sailboat, floating peacefully in a harbor. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of The Rocks and then take in a street performance on the Circular Quay before heading into the Museum of Contemporary Art. The views from the Sydney Tower Eye observatory are epic – use this chance to get to know the layout of the city from high above.
Restaurants in Sydney
1. Bradleys Head Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By shellsbells56
We started at Taronga Zoo wharf and continued on through the stunning Bradley's Head then passed the picturesque Taylors Bay then on to Clifton Gardens. Amazing views back over to harbour bridge and opera house. What a beautiful walk. We will definitely be back over to continue from Clifton Hardens around to Balmoral beach in the near future
2. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,739 reviews
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a major botanical Garden located in the heart of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world.
Reviewed By joycesX316UR - Sherwood Forest, United States
When you are tired of city walking, just cross a street and find peace and beauty. Colorful, green, wide open lawns, a gorgeous bay with boats, rose garden, herb, flower gardens, cute painted koala bears throughout the garden, unimaginable beauty there, benches to rest and reflect on your travels. We were there just before Halloween thus the vampire Koala ????
3. Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,221 reviews
Located by the Royal Botanic Gardens, the bench known as Mrs. Macquarie's Chair was carved out of sandstone in the early 1800s for Govenor Lachlan Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth. It became her favorite spot to look upon the harbour and serves that same purpose today for visitors who take a moment to rest there.
Reviewed By hides_81 - Melbourne, Australia
With Sydney being more of a sunrise city with the Eastern facing beaches, good sunset spots can be harder to find. From Mrs Macquarie's point, looking towards the city, the sun will set behind the city and you have the harbour in front of you with the city skyline, opera house and harbour bridge all in view - awesome!
4. Hyde Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,536 reviews
Reviewed By Bronte_129 - Sydney, Australia
City office workers and visitors have always been drawn to Hyde Park for some time-out. With 40 acres of lovely parkland, finding my own little nook has always been easy. Within the park, there's the Anzac Memorial and Pool of Reflection at the southern end, impressive views of the city skyline, and huge fig tree colonnades to wander down. Then there's the popular Archibald Fountain where people love sitting in the sunshine to people-watch or to enjoy the buskers (they always seem to have quality buskers here, and my favourite is the guy who creates mega-huge bubbles which take off in the breeze. It's so funny watching kids of all ages squealing and having the best time trying to catch them!) Also near the fountain is a giant chess board and a café. Surrounding Hyde Park is St Mary's Cathedral, the Australian Museum, and Hyde Park Barracks (a good one if you have Irish heritage). It's also a short walk to the shopping heart of the city. There are two railway stations at Hyde Park: Museum at the south-western end, and St James at the north-western end. There's heaps of buses to choose from on all sides of the park. Interestingly, the first official horse race was held at Hyde Park in 1810, complete with grandstand near Market Street. I suppose that explains why the road is curved at the park's northern end. I have never tired from visiting Hyde Park over the decades. It's also nice seeing visitors to our city enjoying this special place for photo opportunities at every turn (see attached photos).
5. Tumbalong Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By cindyry5016vl113 - Shellharbour, Australia
Wow!! This place is great, can't believe we haven't been there sooner!! There is a fantastic (dry) park with swings, slides, climbing, flying fox etc etc and then there's the other(wet) side, a great little place to cool off for kids. Little stepping stones through the water, small fountains to play under, it was great and all free!!! Plenty of eateries surround it and lots of places for mum and dad to sit and watch if they don't want to join in. Highly recommend!!!
6. Sandringham Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By mrdom
This corner of Hyde Park has a circular garden of hedges and seasonal flowers, enclosing a fountain and partly surrounded by a vine-covered walkway. Despite the road noise, it's one of the best places in the park to sit quietly.
7. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,860 reviews
Embark on a journey of amazing discovery through SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s extraordinary zones including Day and Night on the Reef. Experience the iconic wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and be amazed as it transitions from night to day in the largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit in the world. Meet the marine turtles, reef sharks & hundreds of tropical fish that call the reef home. Get face-to-fin with over 13,000 animals in an impressive six million litres of water as you explore sub-Antarctic Penguins in the Penguin Expedition boat ride, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island and meet our resident dugong, Pig, to learn all about his heart-warming rescue story. Then face your fears at Shark Valley, a 100 metre ocean-tunnel walk-through, full of jaw-some sharks and huge rays! Make sure you join in with our interactive daily talks, or book ahead to join us for a Penguin Passport experience, a behind-the-scenes fish feeding or take the plunge with the new Shark Dive Xtreme!
Reviewed By Countrymumma - Sydney, Australia
I have been here with small children and teenagers and every time we have enjoyed it!! Especially the walk through underwater tunnels, definitely buy the 2 attraction pass as you'll want to go into one of the other attractions once you finish!
8. The Domain
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
The Domain is a very large green area. It's a park, but not in the normal sense. It dates to the 18th century, the early days of the colony of NSW, and since that time it has seen quite a few changes. It is mostly known for the variety of open-air events that are held there from time to time, and for its huge, underground car park. It is next to the NSW Art Gallery, the Sydney Hospital, the Botanic Gardens and so on. It is a great place to go for a walk or just to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city streets.
9. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,908 reviews
Discover the best of Australia at Wild Life Sydney Zoo - the Home of the Aussie Big Five. Step into an animal adventure and meet your favourite iconic Australian animals – meet cute Koalas in Gum Tree Valley or have your photo taken with them at Koala Encounters. Head to Wallaby Cliffs to interact with Ringo the wombat and then hop to Kangaroo Walk-About to walk amongst the Kangaroos. The Platypus Pools are where you’ll find Jackie and Zoey, their resident platypus pals, before entering the daring world of Kakadu Gorge where you’ll come eye to eye with a huge Saltwater Crocodile, and much more. Wild Life Sydney Zoo features interactive displays, entertaining keeper talks and enhanced walk-through habitats including Koala Encounters, Kangaroo Walk-About and Butterfly Tropics. Wild Life Sydney Zoo is open from 10.00am and located in the heart of the city, at Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour.
Reviewed By dragonfly3
This was an amazing zoo. We booked in advance online in order to have breakfast with the koalas. (well worth it!) We had to arrive at 7:15 am so we didn't miss our spot, as we got a guided zoo tour included with the $60 fee each for the breakfast with the koalas. We felt it was well worth it, as our guide was very knowledgeable. (her name was Shania) We saw many different kinds of animals and reptiles at a leisurely pace, including a huge crocodile, and baby kangaroos which we were allowed to touch. The breakfast was delicious, and consisted of scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, toast, juice, fruit, tea and coffee, and we could have 2 helpings. The tables and chairs were set up on the roof top with a covered area, between 2 pens of koalas who were all wide awake and watching us! Afterwards we got our photo taken with them, and got to choose 2 photos to take home. They are so cute in person, and this was a highlight of our trip.
10. Sea Life Sydney
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By cg2792 - England, United Kingdom
I purchased a combo ticket for the Sea Life Centre and Sydney Zoo next door. Definitely good value for money. Really easy to get to as it is situated at Darling Harbour. The sea life centre was really well laid out with excellent exhibits with a whole range of marine life. My favourites were Pig the Dugong and the Penguin Explorer Ride. Definitely worth a visit, would recommend allocating 1-2hours to walk around at a leisurely pace.
